At last Monday’s general committee meeting, council approved a motion to expand the examination of heritage elements within the ongoing environmental assessment study regarding a replacement bridge on Black Bridge Road.

Council is also directing staff to do the groundwork for a possible heritage conservation district study and report back on the viability of designating and implementing a plan for the Black Bridge Road neighbourhood.

Area resident Tom Herrington told councillors that residents felt they were being heard by the city, yet more needs to be done.

“There needs to be clarification,” he explained.

Herrington said a community association formed by residents is not sure whether or not a heritage study will be undertaken in addition to a heritage impact assessment.

He also asked what control measures are being taken to safeguard Black bridge – a 1915 iron structure.

Herrington said his group is concerned about the increasing volume of traffic using the old bridge, as well as heavy trucks.

George Elliott, city transportation and public works commissioner, confirmed that a heritage assessment is underway and a major part of that work is part of a possible heritage conservation district study. Elliott said the volume of traffic using the bridge is not a safety concern, but his department is working on heavy truck traffic.

Heritage Cambridge president Christine Rier applauded the changes being made in the environmental assessment process, however, she also pushed for the city to start a heritage district designation process.

“We want to be very clear, we are looking for something more than an enhanced EA (environmental assessment),” she said.

She noted that no money has been earmarked for a heritage conservation district study. The city has also not posted notice that it is starting that study – which is part of the study process. She also questioned what mitigating measures were being taken to safeguard the bridge from heavy trucks and increased traffic.

Rier said Heritage Cambridge is staging an information workshop to explain heritage conservation district designations.

“The better informed we all are, the better we can serve the interests of Cambridge.”

Research currently underway will help frame the terms of reference for a possible study and a potential motion, Elliott said.

Planning commissioner Janet Babcock said one of the problems in dealing with the issue is a matter of jurisdiction. While the city can include parts of River Road, Townline Road and Black Bridge Road within the study, the heritage elements east of Townline Road would have to be excluded as they are in Puslinch Township.

“We have to talk with them to see if they want to participate,” she said.

While the city has heard from a long list of people interested in seeing a heritage conservation area created in the east Hespeler neighbourhood, not everyone is on board.

Black Bridge Road resident Ron Tschanz is opposed.

“I live on Black Bridge Road and not everyone wants this. I do not want a heritage study,” he said.